Well, I have officially finished the chapters from my notebook, which means I'm on my own now. School starts in two weeks so I'm going to try and cram as much of this story in as possible. Thank you to all the reviewers and for all the reviews! Am I really that great of a writer?

Ch.13: Sick?!

Two days have past since the incident with Yumi. Kakashi rolled onto his side, sleeping soundly on his bed. Then he heard it. "ACHOO!"

He lazily propped his half-asleep self on his elbow, facing her back. "Hn…Sakura? Are you alright?"

Sakura looked over her shoulder. "Hn? Oh, Kakashi. Yeah I'm fi-fi-fin-achoo!"

He was wide-awake now. 'Sakura's never sick. I'm worried.'

He put his hand on her forehead, His eye widened in horror. "Sakura, you have a fever!"

"Kakashi, I'm fine. I'll just heal myself, just let me get some aspirin." Sakura swung her legs off the bed and started getting up when her legs buckled underneath her. "Sakura!" He caught her before she hit the floor.

"Sakura? Sakura?!" No response. He checked her pulse. 'Good. She just fainted. I need to get her some medicine and some soup. I need to tell the guys too.' He tucked her in and kissed her forehead. He went next door to tell them what happened.

"What?!"

Kakashi pinched his nasal bridge and sighed. "Calm down, Naruto. Sasuke. Sakura's got a fever. I need you to watch her while I go into the village and get some things."

"I thought she's been sluggish lately." said Sasuke. "We'll watch her, Kakashi. Don't worry."

"Thanks." He went back into the room, took a shower, grabbed his wallet and left.

"How do you think this happened Naruto?"

"It must have been when Sakura wore that tank top. It was when we had that problem with Yumi. She must've gotten sick, since it was windy that night."

"Hn."

'Dammit, this is my fault. I should've told her to wear something warmer!'

"So teme."

"Hn?"

"Should we watch her in shifts or together?"

"Shifts, that way the other person can keep an eye out if anyone suspicious comes."

Naruto nodded. "Kay. Who goes first?"

"I'll go."

"We'll change every two hours. Remember that."

"Hn."

Sasuke took a shower and headed next door. He walked over and kneeled next to her. 'She's still sleeping.'

Sasuke went into the bathroom and wet a towel. He came back with it and a small basin and put the towel on her forehead. He moved the hair out of her eyes. 'She looks so peaceful when she's asleep.'

He leaned in and brushed his lips on hers softly. "I promise to protect you, Sakura. I won't let anything hurt you. You have my word," he whispered softly. He pulled away from her face and watched her sleeping figure.

In the lobby…..

"Kakashi-san, what brings you to the front desk?"

"Hello Kisa-san. Sakura is sick. Do you know where I can get some medication and soup."

"Oh dear. Sakura-san is sick?" she asked worriedly.

"Yes, she has a fever."

"There's a pharmacy on the east side of the village and there's a good restaurant near there called Butterfly's Fancy. They have the best soup in the village. Is it all right if I check up on Sakura-san later?"

"Thank you and be my guest. Sasuke or Naruto will probably be in there, so just knock."

"Okay, see you later then."

Kakashi waved good-bye and went into the calm village morning. Kisa chuckled to herself. "He really loves her, but so does that other fellow. Oh, Sakura. I hope you can choose…"

Kakashi pulled out the map he got earlier in the vacation. 'Okay, so the east side of the village is that way. Butterfly's Fancy is three blocks from the pharmacy so I'll get the medicine first.'

He walked slowly, engrossed in his thoughts when he heard his name being called. "Kakashi-kun!"

'Oh. It's her.'

'Can't she take a hint?'

'Apparently not.'

'Her brain's probably too small to comprehend half of what you say.'

"Hello Yumi."

'Damn polite society.'

"What brings you out so early?" she asked smiling. God, she looked evil.

"It's only 9:30."

"You didn't answer my question."

"I'm getting medicine for Sakura. She's sick." he answered, hoping she would now leave him alone.

"Oh. I see."

'Serves that damn bitch right, but why is he taking care of her? She should do us all a favor and die.' Yumi thought.

"Well, as you can see, I'm busy. Good-bye Yumi."

"Good-bye Kakashi-kun!"

'Ugh. I feel so dirty from her saying my name.'

'She makes my skin crawl. She's bad news.'

'Yeah.'

Kakashi was walking past a bookstore when he heard bell ring and someone else calling his name. He turned around. "Ayame! How are you today?"

'She could pass off as Sakura's twin.'

'I know.'

"I'm fine, Kakashi. If you don't mind, may I ask what are you doing this morning?."

"Sakura has a fever, so I'm going to get her some medication and soup."

"Sakura's sick! Oh no. I have to make sure to visit her later."

"Please do."

Ayame giggled. "What's so funny?"

Ayame smiled at him. "I was just thinking how lucky she is to have friends like you." He blushed slightly, only noticeable to the trained eye. "Well I better leave you to your devices and get back to work."

"Bye Ayame."

Ayame went back into her shop. 'She really is lucky to have friends like him, but she's especially lucky to have someone like him love her.' She pushed herself off her desk and started placing the new shipment of books on the shelves.

At the inn…..

Naruto was standing guard at Sakura's door when he noticed someone coming down the hall. Fingering a kunai, he sharpened his gaze and recognized the person. "Kisa-san! What brings you here?!"

"Hello Naruto-san."

"Oh please, call me Naruto."

"Very well, Naruto. I came to visit Sakura. Kakashi-san told me she was sick and I was worried. May I go in?"

"Sure. Hold on a sec."

Naruto cracked open the door. "Sasuke. Sakura has a visitor. It's Kisa-san." Sasuke nodded and went to grab a chair. Naruto smiled at Kisa. "He said you can go in."

"Thank you."

Sasuke stood near the bed, looking at Kisa before returning his gaze to Sakura. She walked to the bed. Sasuke looked at her. "Sit, please." He pointed to the chair beside him.

"Thank you, Sasuke-san."

He grunted and looked longingly at Sakura. Kisa smiled at this. "How is she?" she asked.

"Her fever hasn't broken yet and she hasn't woken up since she collapsed."

"You really care about her, don't you."

Sasuke blushed.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." she smiled.

"Thank you," he whispered.

Kisa turned to face Sakura, still sleeping. "I was worried at first, Sakura-san, but I see you are in very good hands."

She smiled to herself. She pushed herself off the chair and smiled at Sasuke. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask." Sasuke nodded and returned to watch Sakura.

Kisa exited the room. "How is she?" asked Naruto.

"She still has her fever and is asleep. Kakashi-san should be back by 1:00, if he doesn't encounter any problems."

"Thank you."

"No, thank you for taking such good care of her. In the short time you've been here, she's become like a daughter to me. I will check up on her in the afternoon. Until later, Naruto."

"Bye Kisa-san!" She smiled and went down the stairs.

'She's really nice. It's good that Sakura has some more good people to care about her.' Naruto looked at his watch. '11:00. My turn.'

Naruto knocked on the door. "Sasuke, it's my turn to watch Sakura."

"Hn." Sasuke pushed himself away from the bed and changed positions with Naruto, but not before whispering, "Please get well soon, Sakura."

In the village………

Kakashi was now at the desk of the pharmacist. 'This place is just like a friggin hospital. It's so white and sterile.'

He rang the small bell on the desk. "Hello?"

"Wait just a minute."

A man about Kakashi's age and Sasuke's height came out. He had shoulder length pale light-blue-colored hair and black eyes like Kakashi's. "Hello, my name is Saita. What can I do for you?"

"I'm looking for something to cure my friend's fever."

"Ok. First and last name."

"Why?"

"It's going to take a while to get the ingredients together, unless you plan to wait…"

"Fine. Hatake Kakashi."

Saita wrote on a clipboard. "Okay. Hatake Kakash- Hatake Kakashi?!"

"Yes?" he asked.

"It's an honor to meet you!" Saita said, grabbing his hand and shaking enthusiastically.

"You seem to know me. Who are you?"

"My name is Takahashi Saita, sir. I'm the head pharmacist here."

"You seem a little young, how old are you?"

"24."

"Hn. So how long do I wait?" Now that he knew pharmacist was a fan, he REALLY wanted to get out there.

"Oh. Fifteen minutes."

"Fine. I'll come back then."

"Good-bye Hatake-san!"

Kakashi decided to look around the area. He found a small bench and started reading another volume of Icha Icha. 'I hope Sakura's alright.'

The fifteen minutes passed and he went back to the pharmacy. "Oh hello, Hatake-san." Saita grabbed a small paper bag from behind the counter. "Here you go. Tell your friend to drink a cup of this every two hours and they should be fine. It should get rid of the fever and whatever's causing it."

"Thank you." He handed him some yen and went outside. 'So now I need to get the soup, then head back to Sakura.'

With Naruto……….

Naruto was reading a scroll he brought on the trip when Sakura blinked, then opened her eyes. "Mmmmm? Naruto?"

"Sakura-chan!"

"Ow! Not so loud."

"Sorry." he whispered. "I'll go tell Sasuke. Don't get up." He got out of the chair and opened the door.

Sasuke heard the door click open and looked behind him. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Sakura's awake now."

"Really?"

"Come say hi."

"Hn."

Pushing the door wider, he walked over to Sakura. "How do you feel?"

She chuckled. "Like I got hit by Chouji's expansion jutsu." Sasuke chuckled too, bring a smile to Sakura's face. "Well, at least you're awake." She giggled, then broke out into a coughing fit. "Sakura-chan?!" exclaimed Naruto.

"I'm fine, I just need some water."

"I'll get it."

"Thanks Naruto."

Naruto went to the bathroom. Sasuke looked her in the eye. "Do you need anything else?"

"No. What happened?"

"You fainted and Kakashi caught you. He told us you had a fever and we've been watching you. Kisa came by earlier."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Kakashi's in town getting you some medicine."

"I-"

"Don't even think about trying to heal yourself. You're too sick to even walk, let alone heal. Now rest. He should be back soon."

"Fine, but only because you're right." Sasuke smirked and gripped her hand. "I'm glad. Now rest."

Sakura blushed.

"I got the water!"

With Kakashi…..

Kakashi was now at the counter, the girl behind the register drooling. 'Great. A fangirl.'

"Hello, what would you like to order?" she said batting her eyelashes. Kakashi was unaffected. "A cup of chicken noodle soup."

"Coming right up." A minute later, she returned with a cup. "Here you go."

"How much do I owe you?"

"Oh, this one is on me."

'I guess having fangirls has some perks.'

"Thank you." Kakashi left Butterfly's Fancy. 'Now to go back to Sakura. I wonder if she woke up.'

Kakashi was walking in the street when he heard a dull roar. 'Again?!'

'They never stop.' Inner Kakashi paled.

They were all around him and charging at him. 'Gotta think fast.' He poofed his ass out of there.

"Where'd he go?" a fangirl asked.

"Hey, what's this?" another fangirl asked. She picked up the slip of paper and read it out loud. "It says 'Better luck next time.'" Then, she had a revelation. "He wrote this note! It's mine!"

"No it's mine!" shouted a fangirl.

"No, mine!" screamed another. They started fighting over the note, forgetting all about Kakashi's mysterious disappearance.

At the inn…

Kakashi was in the lobby and looked at the clock. '1:30.' He ran up the stairs, careful not to spill the soup. He opened the door to see Sakura awake and Naruto, Kisa, Sasuke, and Ayame around her. "Hi Kakashi-sensei!" said Naruto.

"Naruto, Sasuke. Hello Ayame. Kisa-san. Sakura, you're awake. I brought you some soup and some medicine."

"O-o-o-oh. Thank you." she stuttered.

"No problem, but I believe that you need to rest."

"He's right. Good-bye Sakura-san."

"Bye Sakura, I hope you get better soon."

"Bye Ayame. Bye Kisa-san." They smiled and left.

Naruto and Sasuke were sitting on either side of her on the bed. "Sakura, drink this soup while I make this tea for you. It's supposed to break your fever."

"Hai."

"Sasuke, Naruto. Can you guys ask Hiro and Kisa to boil this stuff up for Sakura? It's her medicine."

"Sure."

"Hn."

Kakashi threw the bag at Sasuke. He caught it. "Come on, dobe."

"Right behind you, teme!"

Sakura laughed. Kakashi handed her the cup of soup. "Thank you."

"I already told you it wasn't a problem."

She giggled. "Right."

By the time she finished the soup, they had come back with the tea. She drank it. "Feel any better, Sakura-chan?"

She nodded happily. "It really works."

"He said to drink it every two hours and you should feel better by tomorrow. Just keep drinking this stuff and don't try to heal yourself. I don't want you to strain yourself."

"Fine, Kakashi. Fine."

"Get some rest," said Sasuke as he came back into the room.

"I already slept an additional four hours today."

His eyes turned sharingan. "Fine, I'll rest."

"Thank you."

"Hmph."

"Feel better, Sakura!" said Naruto. He, Kakashi, and Sasuke left the room to let her sleep in peace. A few minutes later, she did.

Sasuke made a door hanger and put it on her door. It read "Do Not Disturb" in a bold red. They were now sitting in Naruto and Sasuke's room. "If she feels this great by drinking only a cup, she'll get better by tomorrow for sure!" exclaimed Naruto.

"I have to admit, whoever made this is good." said Sasuke.

"So what should we do tomorrow?"

"You're gonna invite the person who made it to dinner on Sunday. (It's Friday right now) We'll invite Ayame too! It'll be a celebration to her recovery."

"I actually agree with the dobe. We need to thank the person who helped her get better."

"Do we have to?"

"What's wrong, sensei? Usually you'd agree and teme would be the one set against it."

"The person who made it is…well, a fan of mine."

"Fangirl?"

"No, Sasuke. More like hero worship."

"Well do you want to thank them or not?" snapped Sasuke.

"Well…yes, but-"

"Then it's settled. We invite the person to dinner on Sunday." proclaimed Naruto. The other two grunted.

A few minutes of watching t.v. and they were bored when Kakashi realized something. "Guys….where do we eat? Unless we want Yumi to hurt Sakura or Ayame, we need to find a new place to eat."

They all sat in deep thought. "How about that restaurant we pass on the way to Tiger Lily Café? Sapphire Sunrise or something?" asked Sasuke.

"I think Chouji told me about it in Konoha. It's supposed to be really good and the place is pretty big."

"How about one of us orders dinner there tonight and brings it back so we can try it. If it's as good as Chouji says, then we can go there on Sunday. If not, there's always the bar." suggested Kakashi.

"Aa."

"Great, so who's going?"

Sasuke opened his mouth to talk. "I nominate….Naruto."

"That's a great idea, Sasuke! I'll-Hey!"

"I second that nomination."

"Hey! Sensei! That isn't fair!" he whined.

"Majority rules, dobe."

"Fine." Naruto said scowling.

---------

Sakura awoke to the smell of something mouth-watering. She yawned and stretched. Her pajama top rising above her belly button, causing Kakashi and Sasuke to choke on their food and cough. "You guys ok?" she asked.

"Fine." Kakashi coughed as Naruto pounded his back.

"Whatcha eating?"

"We got it at this place we never tried before. It's good and it's healthy too."

"Kami knows you need that, Naruto."

"Hey! I cut back on the ramen!"

"Dobe's right. Hinata made him cut back. He's down from 23 bowls to 20."

"It's a start." Sakura said. 'I need to remember to thank Hinata when I get back.'

"Here Sakura-chan, we got you something." It was a bowl of beef and lentil stew. She tried some and smiled. "It really is good."

"We need to thank Sasuke and Chouji when we get back." stated Kakashi.

"Sasuke?" said Sakura curiously.

"Hn. I chose the place. Chouji told Naruto it was good and we decided to try it," he stated before eating some more gazpacho. She smiled and thanked him.

After a few minutes, Kakashi and Naruto went to take out the trash and invite the people, leaving Sakura and Sasuke in the room. Sasuke was sitting on the floor across from her when he noticed something. "Sakura, you have something on your cheek."

"Hm? I do? Where?" she asked.

"Hold still, I'll get it."

"Ok." He leaned closer to her and licked a grain of rice off, causing the skin underneath to prickle and a blush to spread across her face. "S-s-sasuke?" she squeaked.

He brought his face to hers and smirked at her. "Got it." His eyes turned sharingan. "Sasuke?" she said, unsure. He inched his face towards hers and closed the gap, kissing her.

She was confused and shocked, but slowly melted into the kiss. They pulled away. "Sasuke?" she said breathlessly. Realizing what he did, he blushed. "Sakura, I'm sorry for kissing you. I'll understand if you don't want to be near me anymore."

Ashamedly, he turned away from her and motioned to get up. "Wait." she said. He turned around. "Sasuke, I'm just surprised. I don't hate you, just confused. Why did you kiss me?"

"Because I-I-"

"We're back!" yelled Naruto.

Sasuke looked away from her. "Never mind." he murmured.

Naruto left the room with Sasuke. "Sakura?"

"Yes Kakashi?"

"We're having dinner at the Sapphire Sunset on Sunday. I hope you don't mind."

"No. It's okay."

"Ok. Well, drink your tea and go to sleep."

"Night Kakashi."

"Night Sakura."

Sakura couldn't sleep. 'Kakashi kissed me and then Sasuke. What does this mean? They like me? And….do I like them?' Inner Sakura was watching in the shadows of her mind. 'So it has begun….'